Highland Fires Read Free Page B

those and went to leave when the
owner asked if I liked older pieces. Since I try to find pieces of
jewelry we made while still on this realm, I said aye.”
    “And they brought out the slave
bracelet.”
    She nodded and looked down at her hand. She
ran a finger over the chains that connected her middle finger to
the bracelet. “I thought it an unusual and beautiful piece. I knew
the Celts had made such bracelets, but they were usually plain in
appearance unless the slave was someone of importance. So, when the
shopkeeper bade me try it on, I thought nothing of it. As soon as I
clasped it together I felt the magic.”
    Lugus looked down at the
bracelet. Along the ancient carvings of knots and scrollwork, so
much like what he tooled into the leather, he saw what looked like
an ancient language. “Have you tried to decipher the
symbols?” 

    She nodded. “My first day. No sooner had I
attached the bracelet than Marcus and his men brought me to his
castle. I spent the remainder of that day locked in a chamber as I
tried in vain to call for help.”
    Lugus sighed and leaned back in his chair and
studied her. Either she had no idea that he had been the one that
nearly destroyed their realm or she didn’t wish to mention it. He
decided to assume she didn’t know exactly what he had done.
    “Even if I tried to call to the Fae, it would
fall on deaf ears because I’m no longer Fae. I’m a mortal man.”
    “Have you tried?”
    He shook his head. “Nay. And I won’t.”
    “If you don’t help me, Marcus will force me
to marry him and I will never return home.”
    He saw the misery and fear in her eyes and
hated that he couldn’t help her. “What do you want me to do? I’m
but one man against Marcus’ army. I know of whom you speak, though
I have never encountered him myself. He is a very powerful lord
with many men at his disposal. I cannot defend you against
them.”
    “I’m not asking for that.”
    He stared at her for one heartbeat. Two. “You
ask the impossible. You say you know who I am, but you do not know
everything.”
    “I know enough. You are my last hope, Lugus.
You know I am not meant to live out my life here. I must return to
my realm.”
    “Then you need to find you a champion that
will aide you.”

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Lugus walked from his cottage and saw the
storm clouds rolling in. The dark clouds flashed lightening as the
thunder boomed around him. The sea had already begun to churn and
chop. Only a fool would venture out onto the sea in a storm as
fierce as what was about to blow in.
    He turned on his heel and entered the cottage
to find Ahryn staring into the fire. She raised her gaze to his
when he closed the door behind him.
    “I’m sorry for coming here. Marcus and his
men will come even if I go back.”
    “Aye.”
    She took a deep breath and turned to him. “I
will depart now and hopefully talk Marcus into leaving you
alone.”
    “I wish that were possible,” Lugus said as he
leaned against the door. “There is a storm coming. Only a fool
would venture out onto the water now. You’ll have to wait until it
blows over.”
    “Which means, Marcus won’t come for me?” she
asked hopefully.
    Lugus shrugged. “I couldn’t say. Depends on
if he can find oarsmen who are willing to chance their lives.”
    “He won’t,” she said with a smile that lit up
her face. “For one night I’m free.”
    She whispered the last part, but Lugus heard
her nonetheless. He glanced at his tools and then at her bracelet.
The least he could do was try and take it off for her. He reached
for his tools and walked to her.
    He held up the tools. “Shall I?”
    “Please.” She sat and held out her hand.
    For the next two hours Lugus worked at trying
to unclasp the bracelet to no avail while the storm raged outside.
Whatever magic held her bound to the realm of Earth held the
bracelet closed. He set aside his tools and shook his head.
    “Without knowing what kind of magic made the
bracelet, I